Folk, pop, rock groups booked, author series scheduled at Silver Center for the Arts in 2013

DAN SEUFERT
Union Leader Correspondent

The spring season of performances at the Silver Center for the Arts at Plymouth State University will feature New England favorite Tom Rush, Grammy-winner Kathy Mattea and the annual Eagle Pond Authors Series produced by New Hampshire poet Donald Hall.

The center’s first guest artist for 2013 is folk icon Rush, whose string of New England dates includes a sold-out Plymouth show Feb. 1. Rush, celebrating 50 years of performing this year, helped shape the national folk revival in the 1960s and renaissances that

followed in the 1980s and 1990s. James Taylor, Emmylou Harris, Tom Petty and Garth Brooks have cited Rush as a major influences on their careers.

Next up, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6, is a free concert by The New England Winds, a part of the Air Force Band of Liberty and featuring a Plymouth native Mickey Ireland on clarinet. The winds are known for performing a challenging repertoire with music from the Baroque era to newly commissioned works.Then, at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, Mattea, who is touring with music from her 18th CD, “Calling Me Home,” comes to the center for an 8 p.m. show. Her 30 hit singles are woven through bluegrass, gospel, country, pop and Celtic influences, and have garnered multiple Grammy Awards.

Tickets are $35-$25 for adults, $33-$23 for seniors and $25-$15 for youths.

March will features two concerts of guitar music. The Brasil Guitar Duo performs on Thurday, March 14, with a program of classical and songs from its native country. Performers Joao Luiz and Douglas Lora met in São Paulo as teenage guitar students and have been performing together for more than 12 years. The show is at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $30 for adults, $28 seniors, and $15 for youths.

Then, on Friday, March 29, Nashville’s bluesy-rock rebel Todd Snider brings his show to the stage for an 8 p.m. performance in the Smith Recital Hall. Snider is known for casting a critical eye on the state of the world with his trademark blend of wry wit and compassion.

Tickets are $30 for adults, $28 for seniors, and $15 for youths.

Friday, April 26, brings Girlyman to the center, a group known for its folk and pop songs in three-part harmony. The show is at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $20-$15 for adults, $18-$13 for seniors, and $10-$5 for youths.

The Eagle Pond Authors’ Series continues with the help of Hall, who on Thursday, Feb. 28, will introduce Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Jorie Graham. On Thursday, April 4, Dick Allen, Connecticut’s poet laureate will close the series. Both performances are at 7 p.m., and are offered with free admission.